Machine for erecting, packing, and closing multisided cartons



March 6, 1956 J. BUCHA 2,737,001

MACHINE FOR ERECTING, PACKING AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS Filed Jan. 51, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

March 6, 1956 BUCHA 2,737,001

MACHINE FOR EREC'IING; PACKING AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill "II I! IN V EN TOR.

March 6, 1956 BUCHA' MACHINE FOR ERECTING, PACKING AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS' Filed Jan. 31, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 i6 INVENTOR.

Tl G. .5. 6/34/77 flax/x0 Wmaw March 6, 1956 .1. BUCHA 2,737,001

MACHINE FOR ERECTING, PACKING AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 6 Shets-Sheet 4 CQza-a. QM

v FE INVENTOR. I

March 6, 1956 BUCHA 2,737,001

MACHINE FOR ERECTING, PACKING AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

BY@M.QM

March 6, 1956 J. BUCHA MACHINE FOR ERECTING, PACKING AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

Filed Jan. 51, 1955 United States Patent MACHINE FOR ERECTING, PACKING, AND CLOSING MULTISIDED CARTONS Je Bucha Niles Mich. assignor to Kalamazoo V Zgetable Parchinent C o., Kalamazoo, Mich.

Applicationjanuary 31, 1955, Serial No. 485,234

16 Claims. (Cl. 53-91) This invention relates to improvements in machine for erecting, packing and closing multisided cartons. The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine which will automatically advance a multisided carton, such as a tubular hexagonal carton, from a stored fiat position to an erecting posiand tuck flaps and end walls of a multisided carton hav- Y ing more than four sides wherein the structure for fo1ding and erecting the carton functions to guide the tuck flaps on the end wall into the carton.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims.

The drawings, of which there are six sheets, illustrate a highly practical form of the machine.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the erecting and packing machine.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view through the lower portion of the machine taken along the plane of line 2-2 in Fig. 4 and illustrating the driving connections for the carton handling elements of the machine.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the carton erecting, packing and closing mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view through the machine taken along the plane of the line 44 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view through the carton erecting and closing mechanism taken along the plane of the line 5-5 in Fig. 3, and illustrating the carton in erected but unclosed position.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating the carton in partially closed position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 6 illustrating the.

carton in the process of being packed.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through the carton, advancing and erecting mechanism illustrating a partially erected carton in position to be.

fully erected.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view through one of the guide wings of the erecting machine taken along the plane of the line 9-9 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the tuck flap folding elements at the inlet end of the carton.

The machine of this invention is designed primarily for and illustrated in conjunction with the packaging of paper baking cups in hexagonal tubular cartons. These cups, indicated at 1, are manufactured in nested groups "ice 2 of several individual cups and several of the groups are further nested and packed within the tubular carton indicated at 3.

The hexagonal tubular cartons are manufactured and handled as fiat folded blanks 4, which are delivered to a hopper 5 on the machine for further advancing and erecting operations, as will be described.

The particular form of hexagonal carton illustrated consists of a bottom wall 6, upwardly diverging lower side walls 7, upwardly converging upper side walls 8, and a top wall 9.

In the fiat blank form the upper and lower side walls are folded inwardly against each other and the top wall is placed downwardly into lapped relation with the bottom wall.

The end walls of the cartons are provided with hexagonal end walls 10 and 11 integrally joined along fold lines at the ends of the bottom wall 6. The upper side edges of the end walls have tuck flaps 12 secured thereto along fold lines and the lower side walls of the carton have end flaps 13 secured thereto. Top end flaps 14 are connected at the ends of the top wall 7. All of these flaps extend in the same fiat plane as their supporting fold of the carton when the carton is in flat collapsed position.

A machine for erecting and closing the cartons consists, first of a main supporting panel 15 having spaced upright plates 16 secured thereto to support the previously mentioned hopper 5 in upright position over the panel. A support bloclc17 positioned between the upright panels is provided with oppositely extending trunnions 18 which are journaled in upright panels below the hopper. The support block 17 carries a fluid actuated cylinder 19 having a piston rod 20 that projects through the support block and is adapted to be extended against the bottom carton blank in the hopper when the cylinder is upright, as is illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8.

The support block 17 carries a crank arm and pivot 21 eccentric to the trunnions 18 and connected by the link 22 to a control rod 23 extending vertically through the base panel 15. The upper end of the piston rod 20 consists of a suction head 24 and a vacuum line connection in the suction head will draw the carton blank from the hopper so that a fiat blank is presented sideways as in Fig. 4, when the cylinder is tilted.

- Positioned in spaced opposed relationship to the carton blank held by the retracted and tilted suction head 24, is a second suction head 27 supported on the upright arm of the L-shaped lever 28. The lever 28 is vertically supported at 29 on a support rod 30. The support rod 30 is mounted for limited axial sliding motion above the base panel 15 by brackets 31 and bearing blocks 32 mounted thereon. The L-shaped lever 28 is supported in elevated position by the pivotal connection 33 to the horizontal link 34 having an ofiset arm and flange 35 that extends to and is connected at the lever 28.

A spring 36 coiled around a guide rod 37 is compressed between the outer bearing block 32 and the L- shaped lever 28 to bias the lever into the elevated position shown in Fig. 4. A depending lever 38 connected at the outer end of the link 34 is pivotally supported at its lower end at 39 and provided with a cam arm 40 having a follower swingably engageable with a cam 42 positioned below the base panel 15.

It willthus be seen that the outward motion of the carton. ing finger :65 pivotally supported at 66, is pulled downwardlyyby. the control rod 67 to fold the top end-flap "'14 extender lever will pull the L-shaped lever 23 downwardly from the elevated position, shown in Fig. 4, to the lowered position shown in Fig. 8.

The center of the base panel 15 betweenthehopper and the brackets 31 is provided with an opening 43' and discharge chute 44 so that the filled and closed cartons may be discharged downwardly through the bottom of the machine.

Transversely extending on opposite sides of theiopening 4-3 are slide rails 45 forming a slideway for :the reciprocating slides 46. The slides 46 are pivotally con nected with the upper ends of the actuating levers 47 that are attachedxto swing transversely by reason of. en-

gagement of the cam followers 48 with the cams 49, as will be described. Mounted at each end of the islide members 46 inzinwardly facing spaced relation are pairs .of. erecting jaws 56 and 51. The jaws 5d are fixedly connected to the slides but the jaws 51 are relatively movable on the slides on pins 52 and in opposition to springs 53.. Laterally projecting control rods 54 control the lateral-movement of the jaws 51, as will be described.

The second. suction head 27 is provided with a vacuum connection hose 27A and 'whenthe piston rod '20 extends a fiat carton blank into contact with the suction head 27 the carton blank is held bythe second suctionhead. Retracting motion of thepistonrod and-the firstssuction head 24 partially opens the carton 3, a's is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8. The vacuum in thefirst suction head 24 is then cut off and the second suctionhead is tilted leaving the carton supported solely,

and; inipartially open position, by the vacuum in the secend-suction head. 27.

When the 'L-shaped lever 28 is extended downwardly, as shown in full lines in .Fig. 8, the partially erected side edges .of the carton blank are positioned between the V-shaped jaws 50 and 51.

Closing motion of the jaws 59 and 51 engages the folded side edges of the blank and fully erects the carton into tubular hexagonal form.

The panel 15 supports a horizontal magazine 55 which receives the .previously described groups of cupped articles 2 in. alignment with the front end-of the tubular carton.

A. ram. 56-.is reciprocable through the magazineto move the groups ofcups into the erected carton. Prior tofilling ithe'erected carton, the back end 'of the carton is closed by a series of folding elements that-will 'now be :described.

An end wall hold-down plate 57 having forked arms 58 is pivotally supported-on the base panel 15, as at 5% see-Figs. .1 and-3, and is arranged to be swung'downwardly'by. a :control rod 60 to' position the fingers 58in lapped holding relation with the rear-end wall 10 of the carton. Tuck flap folding pins 61' are then reciprocable upwardly through the base panel 15 to fold the tuck fiaps 12..upwardly atright angles to the end mum.

The hold-down plate and finger'58 are then re'tractedso that-a folding .gatev'62 pivotally supported on the base panel, as 'at63, can be raised by the controllink64 to fold theiend wall and the tuck fiaps upwardly toward the Prior to closing the end wall, the end flap folddown over the endof the carton. The "lower sideflaps .13 he in the path of the end wall it) and are folded "inwardly beneathth'e end wall. In order to assure that-the tuck flaps. 12 enter into the end of the tubular carton,

ofthe. hexagonal carton. V

As is best illustrated in Fig, 9," the guidewir-1gs-68 .havesmall 1 deflector plates 6Q. *pivotally mounted therein the front top flap Lfolder.

guidetwingsrand are directed'toward the uppers'ide 'walls and biased inwardly by spring 79. A stop plate 71 carriea'by the deflector plates limits the inward motion of the deflector plates so that they guide the tuck flaps 12 inside of the upper side walls 8 of the carton, the fully elevated gate 62 and the closed rear end wall of the carton forming an abutment to resist the pressure of the cupped articles being forced into the carton.

Since the nested paper cups are usually expanded to somewhat largerdiameter than the diameter of the carton, they exert a considerable pressure on the carton while being compressed into the :carton. It has been found to be desirable to permit the yieldably supported erecting .jaws- 51' to retract slightly against the pressure of the springs 53 to accommodate this expanding force on the open outer end of "the carton. The control rods 54 which regulate movement of the erecting jaws 51 are therefore permitted to retract by their operating levers 72 during the time that the cups are being forced into the carton.

The end wall and flaps at the outer open end of the carton are closed by folding elements that are substantially the reverse of the folding elements at the closed end. of the carton.

The hold-down plate 73 is pivoted on the supportpanel at 74 and actuated from below by the link 75 so as'not to interfere with the operation of the loading ram 56. The hold-down plate 73 functions as a guide stop .at the end of the magazine prior to being lowered into holding engagement with the outer end wall 11 of the carton.

Folding pins 76 project upwardly through the support .panel .toxfold up the tuck flaps 12 on the outer end wall.

A'folding finger 77 is swingable downwardly by a control rod 78 to fold down the tuck end flap 14 and guide wings68, similar to those previously described, are pro- -vid'ed'tonguide the tuck flaps of the end wall into properly closed position. After the carton is filled and closed,

pulley operated from any suitable power source is indicated at 81 and is connected to a drive shaft 82 extending transversely ofzthe machine. The drive shaft 82 drives a first longitudinal shaft 83 through the beveled gears 84 and the-:shaft83 in. turn drives a cross shaft 35 through the beveled-gears 86.

The cross shaft 85 drives a second longitudinal shaft 87 through the-beveled gears 88. Each of the shafts 82, 83,85 andS'Zis-provided with cams which actuate various portions-of'themachinein timed relation. The 89 operates the push rod 23 that tilts the feed cylinder 19.

The. opposed cams 49 son the longitudinal shafts operate tlt'eitcontrol'v levers 47 that actuate :the erecting slides.

-Cams92i and 93 actuate the. levers .72 that control the yieldablysupported front erecting jaws. Cam M on-the cross shaftfi85 actuates the .control rod 60 that operates the rearzhold-down plate 57. Cam )5 actuates the plate 96to operate "the. rear tuck flap folding pins 61. Cam 97 actuates the rod64 to the rear closing gate 62. Cam 98 'op'erate's athecontrol rod 67 to the rear top flap folder.

'Cami 99 actuates'1a valve for controlling the vacuumxin the receiving and forwarding suction .head 27. Cam 42 actuates the lever 38 that lowers the Lshaped lever 28 :and fcarton blank between the erecting jaws.

Paired' camsltll on the parallel shaftsactuate across bar 102 *that carries and controls the front tuck flap folder" pins 76. The earn 103 actuates the rod 73 to :The'xzam 104 onthe drive shaft 82 operates a crank "arm-105 0]: a rock shaft 106. The shaft 106 has a lever am 107'that' extends under the cross bar 162 to actuate 109. A lever 110 rockably mounted on the shaft 106 has one arm with a cam follower 111 actuated by the cam 112 on shaft 82. Lever 11% operates a link 113 connected to the crank 114 supported at 115 from the under side of the main panel 15. The crank 114 operates the control rod 75 to the hold-down plate 73 at the front of the carton. A crank 116 on the end of shaft 82 operates a link 117 that is connected by means, not illustrated, to the ram 56 to load the cups into the carton. A vacuum pump 118 for operating the suction heads is provided and a cam 119 on shaft 87 controls the valve controlling suction head 24. A cam 120 operates a valve for controlling pressure operation of the cylinder 19.

It is pointed out that the cartons do not need to be hexagonal in cross section. More sides couldbe provided by appropriately changing the shape of the erecting jaws 50 and 51. A pentagonal carton would eliminate the top wall 9 and the need for the top flap folders 65 and 77 but would require adjustment of the relative angular positions of the suction heads 24 and 27 to obtain initial partial opening of the carton and proper positioning of the carton between the erecting jaws.- In any case, the carton blank is under positive control at all times until it is filled, closed and discharged.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed to be new and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of hexagonal cross section comprising, a hopper open at the bottom and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in fiat form with the end flaps of the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having hexagonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with tuck flaps attached to the upper side edges of the end wall and end flaps attached to the lower side edges of the carton and top flaps attached to the top wall of the carton, a cylinder pivotally supported below said hopper and having a piston rod with a first suction head extensible into engagement with the bottom wall of the bottom carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first suction head, means for tilting said cylinder to laterally directed horizontal position, a second suction head supported in laterally facing position opposite the laterally facing position of said first suction head, fluid actuated means for extending said piston rod to move said bottom carton against said second head and thereafter retract said rod, means for creating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said rod retracts, means connected to cut off the suction in said first head as it retracts to leave the carton attached to said second head, means connected to said second head to swing said carton over a discharge opening in a panel, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, other V- shaped jaws yieldably mounted on said slides 'to engage the other end of the carton, means for retracting said other jaws as said carton is filled and readvaucing them after the carton is filled, hold down plates pivoted on said panel, means connected to move said plates into lapped relation with said end flaps, pins projectable from said panel to fold said end flaps on said end wall upwardly along the edges of said plates and said end walls, tucking fingers swingable downwardly to bend said top flaps inwardly of the carton, end gates swingable upwardly from said panel to fold said end walls against the ends of said carton, guide wings on said jaws engageable with the tuck flaps on said end walls, deflector plates yieldably biased slightly inwardly of said wings to guide said tuck flaps into the ends of said carton, a magazine on said panel aligned with said other end of saidcarton, the hold-down plate at said other end of the -carton forming an end wall for said magazine in the raised position of the plate, a ram positioned to push a plurality of nested cupped articles from said magazine into said carton, means for actuating the folding elements at said one end of said carton prior to actuation of said ram, means for actuating the folding elements at said other end of said carton after actuation of the ram, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton to permit the filled and closed carton to fall through said opening.

2. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of hexagonal cross section comprising, a hopper open at the bottom and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in fiat form with the end flaps of the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having hexagonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with tuck flaps attached to the upper side edges of the end wall and end flaps attached to the lower side edges of the carton and top flaps attached to the top wall of the carton, a cylinder pivotally supported below said hopper and having a piston rod with a first suction head extensible into engagement with the bottom wall of the bottom carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first suction head, means for tilting said cylinder to laterally directed position, a second suction head supported in laterally facing position opposite the laterally facing position of said first suction head, fluid actuated means for extending said piston rod to move said bottom carton against said second head and thereafter retract said rod, means for creating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said rod retracts, means connected to cut otf the suction in said first head as it retracts to leave the carton attached to said second head, means connected to said second head to swing the same downwardly and position said carton over a discharge opening in a panel, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, other V-shaped jaws yieldably mounted on said slides to engage the other end of the carton, means for retracting said other jaws as said carton is filled and readvaucing them after the carton is filled, hold-down plates pivoted on said panel, means connected to move said plates into lapped relation with said end fiaps, pins projectable from said panel to fold said end flaps on said end wall upwardly along the edges of said end walls, tucking fingers swingable downwardly to bend said top flaps inwardly of the carton, end gates swingable upwardly from said panel to fold said end walls against the ends of said carton, guide wings on said jaws engageable with the tuck flaps on said end walls to guide said tuck flaps into the ends of said carton, a magazine on said panel aligned with said other end of said carton, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, means for actuating the folding elements at said one end of said carton prior to actuation of said rams, means for actuating the folding elements, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton to permit the filled and closed carton to fall through said opening.

3. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal section having more than four sides comprising, a hopper open at the bottom and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in flat form with the end flaps of the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck flap attached to an upper side edge of the end wall and end flaps attached to lower side edges of the carton, a cylinder pivotally supported below said hopper and having a piston rod with a first suction head extensible into engagement with the bottom wall of the bottom carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first suction head, means for tilting said cylinder to laterally directed horizontal position, a

' 7 second suction .head supported indaterally. .facin'gsposie tiOIlTOPPOSliQ' the:laterally...facing -position of said. :first suction ;head-,x.fluid actuated .means for extending said piston rod to move said bottom carton'against said second head and thereafter retract said rod, means for creating 'a suction .in said second head to partially open carton as said first-suction head retracts, means connected to cut off the suction in said .first head as it retracts to leave the carton attached to said second head, means connected .to said second head to swing said carton over a discharge opening in a panel, slides reciprocablc from opposite sides of said .carton and having opposed V- shaped jaws engageablc withthe side walls of the carton toxfully erect the car.ton,.other Til-shaped jaws ieldably mounted on .said slides to engage the other end of the carton, means for retracting said other jaws as said car ton is filled and readvancing them after the carton is filled, hold down platesipivoted on said panel, means .connected to move said plates into lapped relation with said end walls, pins projectable from said panel to fold said tuck flaps on said end walls .upwardiy along the edges of said plates and said end walls, end gates swingable upwardly from said panel to fold said end walls against the ends of said carton, guide wings on said jaws engageable with thetucl; flaps on said end walls, deflector plates yieldably biased slightly inwardly of said wings to guide said tuck flaps into the ends of said carton, a magazine on :said panel aligned with said other end of said carton, thehold-down plateat said other end of the carton forming an :end wall for said magazine in .the raised position of theplate, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine .into said .carton, means for actuating the vfolding elements at said one end of said carton prior to actuation of said ram, means for actuating thefoldingelements at said other end of said carton after actuation of the ram, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton to permit the filled and closed carton to fall through s id opening.

4. .A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal section having more than four sides comprising, a hopper open at the bottom and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in flat form with the end flaps of .the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having. polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of'thecarton a t with a tuck flap attached to an upper side edge of the end wall and :end flaps attached to lower side. edges of the carton, a first suction headpivotallysupported below said hopper and extensible into engagement with the bottom wall of the bottom carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first. suction head, means for tilting said suction head to laterally directed horizontal position, a second suction .head supported in laterally facing. position opposite the laterally facingposition of said first suction head, fluid actuated meansfor extending saidfirst suction head to move said bottom carton against said second head and thereafter'retract'said first suction head, means forcreating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said first suction head retracts, means connected to cut offthesuction in said first head as it retracts to leave the carton attached to said second head, :means connected to said second head to swing said carton overt a discharge 'openin in a panel, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of. the carton to fully erect'thecarton, hold. down plates pivoted on .said panel, means connected to move said plates into 'lapped'relation with said end walls, pins .projectable from saidipanel to fold said tuck flaps on said end walls .upwardly'along the edges ofisaid platesand said end. walls, end .gatesswingable upwardly from'saidpanel to: fold said end .walls againstthe ends of L'carton, guide wings'on said jaws 'engageable with the tuck flaps'on saidend walls, a magazineon said-panel.aligned-with'said other end ofsaid carton,wa rampositioned topushsa 'pluralityzrofearticles from said magazine .into. said :carton, means. for actuating the folding elements atsaid one end of said. carton prior to actuation of said ram, means for actuating the folding elements at said other end of said carton after actuation of the ram, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton to permit the filled and closed carton to fall through said opening;

5. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal cross section having more than .four sides comprising, a hopper open at the bottom and adapted to hold a stack of cartons with .the end flaps ofthe carton extending in the plane of their supporting wallof the carton, said cartonshaving polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wallof the carton with a tuck flap attached to an upper edge of the end wall and an endflap attached to a lower side edge of the carton, a firstsuction head pivotally supported below said hopper and extensible into engagement with the bottom Wallof the bottom carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first suction head, means for tiling .said suction head to laterally directed horizontal position, a second suction head supported in laterally facing position opposite the laterally facing position of said first suction head, means for moving said suction heads into engage- :ment with opposite sides of said bottom carton and thereafter separating said. heads, means for creating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said heads separate,.means connected to cut olf the suction in said first head to leave the carton partially-open and attached .to said second head, means connected to said .second'head to swing saidv carton over a discharge opening in a panel, slides reciprocable from opposite sides-of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, other iV-shaped jaws yieldably mounted on said slides to. engage the other end of. the carton, means for retracting said other jaws as said carton is filled and readvancing them after the carton is filled, hold-down plates pivoted .at opposite endsof the carton supported by said second head, means connected to move said plates into lapped relation with said end walls, pins projectable alongside said plates .to'fold said tuck'flaps on said end walls upwardly along the edges of said plates and said end walls, end .gates swingable from behind said end walls to fold said end walls against the endsof said carton, guide wings on said jaws engageable with the tuck flaps on said endwalls, a magazine aligned with said other end of said carton,..the hold-down plateat said other end ofthecarton forming .an end wall for said magazine in the raised position of the plate, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, means for actuating the-folding elements at-said one end of said carton prior to actuation'of said ram, means for actuating the folding elements at-said otherend of said carton after actuation of theram, and means for retracting said slides-after closing-ofsaid carton to release the filled and closed carton.

o. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal cross section having more than four sides comprising, a hopper open at the bottom and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in fiat form with the end flaps of the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having polygonal .end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck fiap attached to an upper edge of the end wall and'an end flap attached to a lower side edge ofthe carton, a first suction head pivotally supported below'said hopper and extensible into engagement with the bottom wall of the bottom carton in saidhopper, suction creating means connected tosaid first suction head, means fortiltingsaidsuction head to laterally directed horizontal position,.:a second suction head supportedinlaterallyfacing position opposite the. laterally facing position of said first suction head, :means foiianoving said suction heads "into :engagementwith opposite sides ofsaidbottom carton and thereafter separating said heads, means for creating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said heads separate, means connected to cut off the suction in said first head to leave the carton partially open and attached to said second head, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, hold down plates pivoted at opposite ends of the carton supported by said second head, means connected to move said plates into lapped relation with said end walls, pins projectable alongside said plates to fold said tuck flaps on said end walls upwardly along the edges of said plates and said end walls, end gates swingable from behind said end walls to fold said end walls against the ends of said carton, a magazine aligned with said other end of said carton, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, means for actuating the folding elements, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton to release the filled and closed carton.

7. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal cross section having more than four sides comprising, a hopper open at one end and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in flat form with the end flaps of the cartons extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck flap attached to an upper edge of the end wall and an end flap attached to a side edge of the carton and top flaps attached to the top wall of the carton, a first suction head extensible into engagement with a Wall ofthe end carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first suction head, means for retracting said suction head to remove the end carton from the hopper, a second suction head supported in facing position opposite a retracted position of said first suction head, means for relatively moving said heads to engage opposite sides of said end carton and thereafter separating said heads, means for creating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said heads separate, means connected to cut ofi the suction in said first head after it retracts to leave the carton attached to said second head, means connected to said second head to swing the same and position said carton over a discharge opening in a panel, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, other V-shaped jaws yieldably mounted on said slides to engage the other end of the carton, means for retracting said other jaws as said carton is filled and readvancing them after the carton is filled, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, folding means mounted at the ends of said carton, means for actuating the folding means at said one end of said carton prior to actuation of said ram, means for actuating the folding elements at the other end of said carton after actuation of said ram, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton to permit the filled and closed carton to fall through said opening.

' 8. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal cross section having more than four sides, a hopper open at one end and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in fiat form with the end flaps of the cartons extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said carton having polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck flap attached to an upper edge of the end wall and an end flap attached to a side edge of the carton, a first suction head extensible into engagement with a wall Of the end carton in said hopper, suction creating means connected to said first suction head, means for retracting said suction head to remove the end carton from the hopper, a second suction head supported in facing position opposite a retracted position of said first suction head, means for relatively moving said heads to engage oppoheads, means for creating a suction in said second head to partially open said carton as said heads separate, means connected to cut off the suction in said first head after it retracts to leave the carton attached to said second head, means connected to said second head'to swing the same and position said carton over a discharge opening in a panel, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, folding means mounted at the ends of said carton, means for actuating the folding means, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton.

9. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal cross section having more than four sides comprising, a hopper open at one end and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in flat form with the end flaps of the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck fiap attached to an upper edge of the end wall and end flaps attached to the lower side edges of the carton, means for translating a carton from the end of said hopper to an erecting station over a support panel, means for partially opening the folded carton as it is translated, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton at said erecting station and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, hold-down plates pivoted on said panel at the ends of said erecting station, means connected to move said plates into lapped relation with said end walls, pins projectable past said plates to fold said end flaps on said end wall upwardly along the edges of said end walls, end gates swingable upwardly from said panel to fold said end Walls against the ends of the carton, guide wings on said jaws engageable with the tuck flaps on said end walls to guide said tuck flaps into the ends of said carton, a magazine on said panel aligned with said other end of said carton, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, means for actuating the folding elements at said one end of said carton prior to actuation of said ram, means for actuating the folding elements at the other end of said carton after actuation of said cam, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton.

10. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons of polygonal cross section having more than four sides comprising, a hopper open at one end and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in fiat form with the end flaps of the carton extending in the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons having polygonal end walls attached along one edge of the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck flap attached to an upper edge of the end wall and end flaps attached to the lower side edges of the carton, means for translating a carton from the end of said hopper to an erecting station, means for partially opening the folded carton as it, is translated, slides reciprocable from opposite sides of said carton at said erecting station and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, hold-down plates pivoted at the ends of said erecting station, means connected to move said plates into-lapped relation with said end walls, pins projectable past said plates to fold said end flaps on said end wall upwardly along the edges of said end walls, end gates swingable from the ends of said erecting station to fold said end walls against the ends of said carton, a magazine aligned with said other end of said carton, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articles from said magazine into said carton, means for actuating the foldingelements, and means for retracting said slides after closing of said carton.

11. A machine for erecting, filling and closing tubu- 1 i lartcartons-of polygonali crosszsection .comprising,-.ahop per..;open .at :one .end. and adapted to hold a stack of cartonsin .flat form with .the endfiapsofthe cartons extending in the plane.of:their supporting wall of thecarton, said cartons having polygonal end walls attached along one-edge to the bottom wall of the carton with a tuck flap attached to the upper side edge of theend wall .and end fiaps attached to the lower side edgesof the carton, a :cylinder pivotally supported below :said hopper :and having a piston rod with .a firstsuction head extensible into engagement with the bottom wall of the bottom carton tinz said hopper, suction creating means connected to said firstsuction :hea'd, meansvfor tilting said cylinder. to laterally directed position, a :second suction head supported in laterally facing position of said first suction head,.means.for extending saidpiston-rod to move said bottom carton against said second head and thereafter retract. said -rod,vmeans.for creating a suction in said secondehead to partiallyopen said carton as said rod retracts,

meansconnected .to cutoff thesuction :in said first head 1 'af-terit retractsto leave the carton attached to said secondflhead, means connected to said second head to swing the same downwardly and position said carton over a dischargeopening in a panel, slides reciprocable from oppositesides of said carton and having opposed V-shaped jaws engageable with the side walls of the carton to fully erect the carton, means for folding the walls and'fiaps at each end of the carton to'closc the rcarton,sa magazine on said panelaligned withhone end of said carton, a ram positioned to push a plurality of articlescfrom said .rnagazine .intosaid carton, ,rneans for actuating the folding elements at oneend of said carton prior to .actuationof said ,ram, vmeans for actuating the folding elements at said other end of said carton after actuation of the ram and meansfor retracting said slides'afterclosing of said carton.

12.-A.rnachine for erecting, filling and closing tubular cartons-of polygonal cross section comprising, a hopper open at one end and adapted to hold a stack of cartons in ilatform with the end flaps of the cartons extending in :the plane of their supporting wall of the carton, said cartons raving polygonal end walls attached along one edge to the bottom wall ofthe carton with a tuck flap attached to. the upper side edge of the end wall and end flaps attached'to the lower side edges of the carton, a cylinder pivotally supported below said hopper and having a piston .rod with a first lSllCtlOlTl head extensible into engagement with the bottom Wall of the bottom carton in said hopper, suction creatingrneans connectedto said firstsuction head, tmeansfor tilting saidicylinder to.laterally directed position, a second. suction head supported in laterally facing position opposite the laterally facing position vof said first suction head, meansfor extending said piston rod to move said bottom cartonagainstsaid secondhead land thereafter-retract saidurod, means for creating a suctionrin said secondhcad .to partially open saidcarton as said rod retracts, meansconnected to cut off thecsuction in said :first head after it retracts to leave the .carton attached to said second head, means connected to said second head to swingthersame downwardly and position said carton over a discharge openingsin a panel, slides .reciprocable. from opposite .sides .of .said carton. and having opposed V-shaped .jaws engageable .Withthe side walls of the carton to fully erectthe carton, means for folding the wallsand flaps at eachcend of. thecarton to closethe carton, a magazine onsaidpanelraligned with oneend. of said carton, a ram positioned to pushaplu- :rality of articles from said magazine .into said carton, means for actuating the folding elements at. one. end ,of said. carton, and ,means for retracting. said. slides after closing ofsaid carton.

,l3."In a machine for closing tubular cartons having a polygonal cross section with polygonal-end walls attached along one edge to. the bottomwallsof thezcarton and tuck fiaps connected to upper free edges of theend walls and end flaps connected to lower side edges of the ends. of the canon, the combination :comprising slides reciprocable from opposite sidesof the carton-andhaving angled jaws engageable with the :sides of the canton to hold the carton erect, hold-down plates -pivotally..;sup ported at the ends .of the carton to lap upon theinsides of the end walls thereof, folding elements movable alongside said plates to fold said tuck fiapsinwardly of the carton, gates swingably supported to lap upon the outer sides of said end walls, means for actuating said folding elements and thereafterretracting said plates, andrmeans for swinging said gates to close 'said end walls on said carton after said plates are retracted,.said jaws having guide wings projecting therefrom .longitudinallyof said carton to guidesaid. tuckfiaps into. saidcarton.

14. In a machine for closing tubular cartons having a polygonal cross section with polygonal-end wallscat tached along one edge to the bottom wall ofthe-carton and tuck flaps connected to free edges of :the end Walls and end fiaps connected to lower side edges of-theiends' of the carton, the combination comprising slides on opposite sides of the carton and having angled. jaws ,engageable with thersides of the carton to hold'thecartonerect, holddown plates movably supported at :the ends of thecarton to lap upon the insides of the end walls thereof, folding elements movable alongside said plates to foldsaid tuck flaps inwardly of the carton, ,gates swingably supported to lap upon the outer sides of saidiend walls, means for actuating said folding elements and thereafter retracting said plates, and means for swingingnsaid gates to .close said end. walls on said carton after said plates are re.- tracted.

15. In a machine for closing tubular vcartons having a polygonal cross section withpolygonal .end wallslattached along one edge to the bottom :wall of the carton and a tuck flap connected to a free edge of thecend walls, the combination comprising slides reciprocablefrom opposite sides of the carton and having angled jaws engageable with the sides of the carton to hold the carton erect, hold-down plates pivotally supported at the ends oftthe carton to lap upon the insides of the end walls thereof and having an edge registering with the'edgeof the .end wall to which the tack fiap is attached, folding elements movable alongside said plates to fold. said tuck flaps inwardly of the carton, gates swingably supported to lap upon .the outer sides of said end walls, means1for actu ating said folding elements and thereaftenretracting,said plates, .and means for swinging said gates to close said end walls on said carton after said plates are. retracted, said. jaws having guide wings projecting therefrom longitudinallyof said carton with inwardlyspring.biasedplates to guide-said tuck flaps into said carton.

16. Ina machine for closing tubulancartonsfhaving a polygonal cross section with .polygonalsend walls at ,tached .alongcone edge to the bottom wall .ofthecarton and a tuck flap connected to a freecedge .of the end walls, the combination comprising slides reciprocable ,from rop- .posite sidestof the carton and having angled jaws engageable with the sides of the carton to hold thecarton erect, hold-down plates pivotally supported at theends of the carton to lap ,upon the insides of the endwwalls thereof and having an edge registering with the edge of thelend wall to which the tuck flap is attached, folding elements movable alongside said plates to fold said tuck jflaps ,inwardly of the carton, gates swingably supported tolap uponv the outer sides of'said end walls, means for actuating said folding elements and thereafter retracting said plates, and meansfor swinging said gatesto. closesaid end walls on said cartonafter said plates are retracted.

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